World Events & Adventure Travel
Malaria Elimination Maps Highlight Progress and Prospects
October 17, 2011
The Shrinking Malaria Map A new global atlas charts prospects for malaria elimination by offering the firstfull-color, detailed depiction of a disease now declining in many parts of the globe. The “Atlas of Malaria-Eliminating Countries” spotlights countries successfully moving toward eliminating the disease and provides a visual tool to help focus resources where they are needed most. Created by the Global Health Group at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation, and in partnership with the Malaria Atlas Project at the University of Oxford, the new atlas will be released on Oct. 17, 2011, coinciding with the second Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Malaria Forum in Seattle, “Optimism and Urgency.” A companion publication, the “Atlas of the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network,” is being released on the same day. Every year, some 225 million people in 99 countries contract malaria and over three quarters of a million... Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel _HPFeature
International Conference to Focus on Libyan Heritage Sites Endangered by Current Conflict
June 30, 2011
Dr. Serenella Ensoli, Project Director for GHF Cyrene, to Speak About Africa’s Largest Ancient Greek Site Palo Alto, CA — Global Heritage Fund (GHF), an international conservancy devoted to saving endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries, will be represented by Dr. Serenella Ensoli, Project Director for GHF Cyrene, and John Hurd, Director of International Conservation, at a conference focusing on Libyan heritage sites endangered by current conflict in the region. The conference, to be held July 1-2 in Naples, will take place in two parts, with the first day devoted to archaeological missions in Libya and the second day to the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage. Dr. Ensoli, a professor at the Second University of Naples, will speak about Cyrene, where she has been working for 25 years, as well as moderate a discussion about possible interventions and future prospects for Libya’s heritage sites. Cyrene, Africa’s largest ancient Greek site,... Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel _HPFeature
Travel Firm Expedia Says Japan’s Tourism ‘Will Recover’
May 15, 2011
(Photo: Shubert Ciencia) In a recent BBC news interview, Expedia President Scott Durchslag predicts Japan’s ailing tourism industry will recover what he considers a temporary setback and will “normalize” in a timeframe only slightly longer than the several months he notes most major disasters take to recover regional tourism numbers. He also reports a “real change of travel behavior” displaying a “pent-up demand” for travel from China and India, which is experiencing a very strong rupee, and discusses the concerns in the Asian region of Google search dominance. To watch the brief video interview, go to the BBC article. Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel _HPFeature
WTTC President & CEO Visits Japan to Assess Tourism Situation and Offer Support
May 10, 2011
President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), David Scowsill, has just returned from Tokyo where he held key meetings with the government, airlines and travel leaders to discuss how WTTC could help to kick-start the recovery in inbound, domestic and outbound Travel & Tourism. The main message that Scowsill is delivering to foreign governments is that their travel advisories need to more accurately reflect the status of the country in terms of safety and security, with Tokyo and the rest of Japan (including Hokkaido, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe) all currently deemed safe to visit. David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “The situation is clearly serious, with cancellations forcing hotels to cut costs and operate with skeleton staffing, airlines cancelling flights and running low load factors, and restaurants struggling as Japanese consumers continue to cancel trips and stay at home”. “Although there are still a number of... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations World Events & Adventure Travel
Delegation Seeks to Restore Confidence in Travel to Jordan and Egypt
April 19, 2011
© Feynan Ecolodge Editor’s Note: ATTA President Shannon Stowell will represent the global adventure tourism community for the April 22 2011 undertaking. Ahead of this mission, the ATTA has queried outbound tour operators offering adventure in both Jordan and Egypt to learn of their questions, concerns and interests about tourism and the situation in the Middle East so that Shannon can present the most current industry-wide perspectives and voices to leaders in these destinations. Further, the ATTA has worked in partnership with colleagues in both Jordan and Egypt for years now – work that has resulted, in addition to strong relationships with tourism experts in the region, in commitment by Jordan to the ATTA in the form of sponsorship of its Adventure Travel World Summit, including the 2011 ATWS in Chiapas, Mexico, and has also led to the addition of Gateway to Egypt’s Manal Saad Kelig to the ATTA’s Advisory Board. LEXINGTON, Ky. ( April 19, 2011)—Leaders within... Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel _HPFeature
Japan Crisis Ripples Through Global Tourism Industry
April 12, 2011
Japan Tourism Struggles Internally… © Takver - flickr Fears around infrastructure issues and nuclear radiation have seen sharp decreases in inbound tourism to Japan, which is responsible for 2.2% of Japan’s GDP and 2.3% of employment this year (according to the WTTC, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal). Meanwhile, most major airlines have reduced the size of aircraft serving Japan outbound, while hotel construction plans remain unchanged. Read the full article, Many Tourists Cancel Trips to Japan While the Disaster has a Ripple Effect Across the Globe Another WSJ update traces the impact of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear leakage across multiple financial and manufacturing economies across the Asian region. While many sectors are expected to recover quickly, Other industries, like tourism, may find it harder to adjust. In Thailand, for instance, as many as 70,000 travelers have already canceled bookings for travel to Japan because of fears over radiation leaks, said... Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel _HPFeature
World Crises Wallop Travel Industry, CNN Reports
March 23, 2011
The following excerpts are from a CNN article on the impact that the recent world events – political turbulence in Africa and the Middle East and the tsunami and earthquake in Japan – have wreaked on the global travel industry. The events have been taking major tolls on tourism related businesses, small and large alike. The article details how Delta Airlines is reducing flights to Japan to accommodate the drop in demand: The airline is reducing its capacity in Japan by 15 to 20% through May by cutting the number of flights to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport — a Delta hub — and suspending service at the city’s Haneda Airport, Bastian said Tuesday at the J.P. Morgan Aviation Transportation and Defense Conference in New York. The Tokyo market generates more than $2 billion a year for Delta, so the disruption may cost the company up to $400 million, Bastian said. The airline is monitoring the demand, however, and is ready to boost service as... Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel
Mega Quake and Tsunami Hit Japan
March 16, 2011
Photo: REUTERS/KYODO On behalf of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, we wish to express our concern and condolences for those affected by last night’s (March 10) devastating 9.0 earthquake in Japan. Following such crises, the ATTA reaches out immediately to members in the region affected to learn if there’s anything the trade association and/or its membership can do to support relief efforts. In this case, ATTA members in Japan include the Japan Ecolodge Association, Overlander Co., Ltd., and Canyons, Ltd. If you are in Japan and wish to report updates concerning adventure travel matters to AdventureTravelNews.com, please write to editor@adventuretravel.biz. March 16, 2011 Update: Immediately following the disaster, the ATTA reached out to our members in Japan to see how the tourism industry might assist in these troubling times. A recommendation was made by Ryutaro Takashima of Overlander Co., Ltd., who suggested that donations be made to Red Cross Japan – for members... Read More →
World Events & Adventure TravelNew Zealand Declares Quake a National Emergency, with 75 Dead and 300 Unaccounted For
February 22, 2011
Update: ATTA Member Heritage Expeditions from New Zealand has provided an update since the quake. New Zealand declares national quake emergency – Reuters – February 22, 2011 New Zealand confirmed death toll 55 -ChCh Mayor – Reuters – February 22, 2011 Scores Killed in New Zealand Earthquake – New York Times – February 22, 2011 Read More →
World Events & Adventure Travel
Battered Egyptian Tourism Hopes for a Speedy Recovery After Protests
February 22, 2011
See headlines below for most updated global news on this situation. Photo: © Sharif Hassan February 15, 2011: After a tense and often violent 18 day revolt in Egypt, the country’s protesters rejoiced as leader Mubarek stepped down on February 11, 2011 (New York Times). Egypt is currently under the control of the national military, as protests and discontent spread through the region in Iran, Bahrain and Yemen. USA Today reported that hundreds of Egyptian tour guides gathered at the Great Pyramid of Giza with signs in multiple languages proclaiming, “Egypt Loves You” on Feb. 14th – a clear message from a country that reported tourism losses of $1 billion during the first nine days of protests and could see an additional $50 million loss from the US alone by the end of the quarter. As countries such as Spain and Dubai hope to absorb some of Egypt’s current tourism losses (Reuters; ArabianBusiness.com), Euromoniter International reminds that the country’s... Read More →
